Chapter 20
“Did you run here?” Mel asked, crinkling her face as she sat down with Walter’s escort.
“Huff… No.”
Hermia finally caught her breath and replied, glancing back and forth between the two before letting out a sudden, hollow laugh.
Today, Walter was perfectly dressed in formal attire, still the epitome of a gentleman, while Mel, in her pink two-piece, looked even more adorable than yesterday.
Yes. Everything was just returning to its rightful place. There was nothing to feel wronged about or regret.
“I’ll get straight to the point. You both look great together.”
It wasn’t sarcasm; she meant it sincerely. After saying it out loud, it became clear.
The foreign object that had intruded between the beautiful prince and Princess from a fairy tale was none other than herself—not poor Mel.
“As you both know, I didn’t grow up in a particularly noble environment, so I’ve seen my fair share of dirty dealings since childhood.”
It wasn’t a prepared speech, but facing the Duke and Countess’s daughter made unintended words flow out. With a sense of resignation, Hermia continued speaking.
“Affairs and love triangles are all pretty much the same, but the worst kind is when family gets involved. I was even relieved I didn’t have a sister.”
She smiled bitterly while looking at Mel, who was staring at her in shock.
“Even though we’re not biological sisters, Mel…Lisa and I are cousins with the same grandfather, and I don’t want to fight over a marriage partner with her.”
“Lady Hermia…”
Walter sensed something ominous and called her name. It was rare for him to interrupt when she hadn’t finished speaking.
This showed how flustered he was, but unfortunately for Hermia, she had no way of knowing that.
“What’s the point of fighting when I’ll only end up hurt?”
“I think there’s some misunderstanding.”
“No, there isn’t. I heard what you both talked about yesterday. So here’s my request, Your Grace.”
She straightened her posture and continued softly. Despite her confident demeanor, this felt like a cowardly plea.
“Could you please make it seem like I requested the annulment? Because honestly, I don’t think anyone would believe what I say.”
“…Did you just say annulment?”
A chilling atmosphere enveloped the room as Walter’s voice dropped low enough to feel like it could extinguish the light. It felt as if he might flip the table at any moment; even in early summer, a cold chill spread through the air.
Mel shrank back and glanced around nervously while Hermia didn’t feel scared at all.
Walter stared at the table as if choosing his words carefully before finally speaking.
“Since Lady Hermia mentioned her childhood, allow me to say this: I learned that a man should never take back what he has said.”
“Well, technically, you haven’t really said anything yet.”
“In any case, once a decision is made, I will not change it.”
“Are you saying you’ll marry me just because of your pride? Have you lost your mind, Your Grace?”
Mel jumped up from her seat at Hermia’s unfiltered words.
“Miss! How can you speak like that to His Grace?”
Hermia couldn’t help but scoff at such an awkward reprimand.
‘Right? How ridiculous must it be for me to say such things.’
Words poured out of her like water bursting from a broken dam.
“You have the worst manners here, Melissa. No matter how much of childhood friends you are—calling out ‘Walter! Walter!’ in front of everyone? What’s that about?”
“Eh? Eh?”
Hermia waved her hand dismissively as if finding this conversation bothersome.
“Excuse me, Your Grace. Once Melissa returns as Countess, people will obviously point fingers saying I’ve taken her place. In fact, I’m already in quite an awkward situation right now.”
“If it’s because of that novel, there’s a solution,” he said while sliding over today’s newspaper he had neatly folded on one side.
A solution? As she muttered while unfolding it, she saw a large headline on the front page and fell silent before reopening her mouth in shock.
[Royal Family designates sensational novel ‘The Stolen Noble Lady’ as banned… Author wanted.]
What? Now it’s even in the newspapers?
As she stood there dumbfounded with her mouth agape, she noticed the phrase “wanted” at the end of the article.
“We tried to capture the author for questioning; however, according to the publishing company they vanished right after releasing volume two,” Walter explained calmly.
“Who is the author?” Hermia asked eagerly. Her heart raced from excitement.
“I’ve identified them but haven’t found any connections with Vansen yet. That’s why I haven’t contacted you for several days while investigating.”
Walter spoke monotonously as if reporting on current events just like when Hermia had felt earlier.
“We’ll catch the author and get their testimony that the novel is fiction; if that happens then Lady Hermia’s name will be cleared too.”
“Oh my…”
She quickly scanned through the article again with wide eyes.
[The novel known as ‘The Stolen Noble Lady’ has become sensational due to its second volume’s content—specifically due to a newly introduced character. Recently engaged to ‘Duke R,’ ‘Lady H’ appears in this novel… (excerpt)]
Hermia rubbed her eyes and read carefully again.
There wasn’t even a single line about Count Arnold Vansen; since it was such a sensitive topic for newspapers they likely avoided mentioning him altogether.
Naturally, the target fell upon an easier target—the illegitimate child. It dawned on her that this wasn’t just any local paper but rather one published by a major national outlet!
“I’m about to become a famous nationwide sensation! Wow! What an honor!”
It seemed she couldn’t relax even in rural areas anymore; perhaps it would be better to flee abroad instead?
To the Eastern Empire? Western Empire? Or perhaps head south and take a boat far away?
While her mind raced through complicated thoughts Walter lightly tapped on the table to regain her attention.
“Let me be clear, Lady Hermia. There will be no annulment between us.”
“So you want me to keep getting insulted until the author is caught and clears things up?”
“Are you serious?” she asked, incredulous at his words.
“Logically speaking, annulling the engagement now wouldn’t be beneficial for Lady Hermia. If Helen’s image becomes firmly established in the public’s mind, it could lead to trouble.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“If people conclude that ‘the villainess was punished and the engagement ended,’ then even if the author later clarifies things, no one will care,” he explained.
“Oh.”
Only then did Hermia slowly nod her head.
“So… you’re saying I should continue being seen as the villainess for a while and endure the gossip. If I stay in their spotlight, I’ll eventually clear my name, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“What? Walter, can you explain that again?”
Mel, unable to follow the conversation, clung to his arm in confusion. Hermia intentionally turned her gaze away from that scene and stood up from her chair.
“Alright then. I’ll remain engaged for now. I have to survive too. Don’t worry; I won’t ask for a wedding just yet.”
Having said everything she needed to say, she felt it was time to leave. Just as she turned to exit, Walter quickly passed by her and stood tall in front of her.
At that moment, Hermia realized that one didn’t need to grab someone by the wrist or arm to stop them.
“I know this may seem rude, but I cannot let you leave with misunderstandings. Please forgive me.”
“What do you mean…?”
He straightened his posture and locked eyes with her, speaking each word with emphasis.
“I’ll make my feelings clear now. I don’t have romantic feelings for Melissa. Instead, I feel a sense of responsibility as her guardian.”
Hermia found herself drawn into his green eyes and instinctively searched for Mel. She looked frozen, as if she were more shocked than Hermia herself.
“Um… I’m feeling a bit confused…”
Walter delivered his message quickly and monotonously, as if he found this situation bothersome. It seemed he wanted to end this conversation swiftly.
“If it’s not a problem for you, let’s proceed with the wedding after we capture the author. I had planned to send Melissa back today, but she seems unstable so I’ll keep her here for a few more days. Would you allow that?”
“…Yes.”
Perhaps it was because of his firm demeanor that one would never expect from a gentleman; despite the unilateral notification, it felt refreshing rather than unpleasant.
It made Hermia think that beneath the noble façade, Walter might be even more impatient than she was.
Nodding absentmindedly, she allowed herself to be led back to her seat by him and enjoyed breakfast until morning.
The menu included eight types of bread, various fruit juices, and the filet mignon she had left uneaten from yesterday.
—
The Duke’s carriage came to a slow stop, and as a tall handsome man emerged from it, he immediately drew attention from those nearby. With natural grace, he extended his gloved hand, which was met by a delicate one.
The person who stepped out was none other than Hermia Vansen—the illegitimate child of Vansen and the infamous villainess of rumors—escorted by Colonel Rockford, a pride and hero of the kingdom.
She instinctively listened to the whispers about her but soon stopped; she would be hearing them endlessly in the future anyway and needed to become somewhat desensitized.
“If Lady Hermia finds the mansion uncomfortable…”
“I’m fine. Your Grace should focus on catching the author quickly; this is something I can handle.”
He looked at her for a moment before giving a slight nod.
“Feel free to come find me anytime if needed. I’ll cover the carriage fare; just don’t sell any more books.”
“Um… were you joking just now?”
“If it wasn’t funny, I apologize,” he replied sincerely.
His lack of humor made Hermia chuckle despite herself. She watched as Walter climbed back into the carriage and drove off before slowly turning away herself.
Standing at the iron gate and ringing the doorbell brought back a rush of nerves. A moment later, Mrs. Laura appeared with a pale face as she opened the door.
“Oh dear! What are we going to do? If you go in now there will be trouble!”
“Is it because I stayed out overnight? The Duke said he sent someone yesterday.”
“It’s not about that…”
“Dear! Hermia has arrived! Dear! Arnold!”
The Countess shouted first as Count Arnold came thundering down from his study. The moment he saw Hermia, fire blazed in his eyes.
“What on earth is going on here?!”
“……”
Hermia squeezed her eyes shut upon seeing the crumpled yellow bundle of paper thrown at her feet by her father.
The newspaper that had been carelessly crumpled up displayed exactly what she had read that morning.
“How could you behave this way and end up in such a lowly novel!”
So he saw it after all; she hadn’t expected him to find out so quickly.
No matter how much she tried to explain herself with Lady Countess watching with crossed arms—it would be futile.
She decided to simply apologize and wrap things up quickly. With that thought in mind, Hermia opened her mouth.
“What do you want me to say?”
